2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · symptom sheet
Brakes failed to stop the car
- 34owner reports
- 52,500median miles
- 6involved a crash
Newest report Dec 9, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
34 of the 266 reports of brake wear on the 2016 Silverado 1500 describe brake failure.
Part of Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (266 reports) · also: brake booster failure, soft brake pedal
Tick what matches of 34 reports
Brake failure on other Silverado 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the booster (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the brakes cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Silverado 1500
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.
Brake line corrosion failure. Closed apr 8, 2015.
Brake line corrosion failure. Closed jan 5, 2011.
Unwanted low-speed abs activation. Closed sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V-379.
Hydraulic pump failres. Closed feb 28, 2005, led to recall 05V-005.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 45,000 and 75,000 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“it is available and the brakes and steering is very stiff my safety no brakes no it hasnt been serviced at a dealership no inspections by dealership they appeared all at once on 10/11/24 no warning lamps”
Filed Oct 11, 2024
“Backing up truck to put a boat in the water and no brakes had put push really hard to stop the truck from going in to the lake. When moving slowly there is hardly any brakes on the truck”
Filed Jul 9, 2023
“Brakes fail at low speed. I have seen numerous reports of this problem dating back to 2018 and nothing seems to be happening with a recall. This is a very danger problem that needs to be addressed immediately. GM service confirmed there is no recall on this common problem. Although there has been no accident, it has been close and pedestrians are at particular risk.”
Filed Oct 6, 2021
“Believe the vacuum pump is faulty. Hard braking g or no brakes when going slow or go in reverse.”
Filed Jun 18, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 6 of 34 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 89 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 65 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 47 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 41 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 33 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 31 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 30 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 26 reports